October 7, 2001- Tangerine Breath

Want to give your lungs something to shout about? Treat your taste buds to tangerines.

Tangerines, citrus fruits that are members of the mandarin family, contain beta-cryptoxanthin. This carotenoid is one of a group of antioxidants associated with improved respiratory health. One medium tangerine also contains half of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.

Getting the right amount of antioxidants through diet or supplements can help reduce your chances of lung cancer and other fatal respiratory disease.
SOURCE: Real Age Health Information, ©2001
 

October 14, 2001- Spice It Up

Don't get stuck in a salt and butter rut. Seasoning your food with more exotic flavors may help you stay young.

Too much salt or butter in the diet can promote arterial aging. However, studies show that spices and herbs such as cloves, cinnamon, pepper, ginger, garlic, mint, and onion possess antioxidant properties that can help guard against lipid peroxidation, a mechanism of cellular injury.

Eating a diverse diet that is low in calories and high in nutrients can reduce your chances of cardiovascular diseases.
SOURCE: Harvard Medical Schools, ©2001
 

October 21, 2001- Check Your Medicine Chest

With the cold and flu season quickly approaching, one may need to seek relief from cold medications.  However, if you have old cough and cold medicines in your medicine cabinet, be sure to check the labels for a potentially dangerous ingredient.

Last season, the Food and Drug Administration issued a consumer advisory against using any medications that contain phenylpropanolamine, a common decongestant in cold remedies. According to the advisory, this ingredient could cause a small increase in a person's risk of hemorrhagic stroke.  If you did not check your medication or use it all up last year, it maybe time to replace it with the new safe formula.

Taking too many medications or taking them improperly can cause possible serious adverse health reactions.
SOURCE: Real Age Health Systems, ©2001

October 28, 2001- A Citrus Twist

Do you squeeze lemon juice onto your foods and then throw the rind away? You may want to put that peel to use, too.

According to research, the peels of lemons contain coumarins, compounds that have been shown in cell studies to inhibit the generation of tumor-promoting substances. Add these anti-cancer compounds to your diet by seasoning salads, seafood, and veggies with the zest of lemons.

Eating a diverse diet that is low in calories and high in nutrients can help reduce your chances of many types of cancers.
SOURCE: University of Michigan, ©2001